Frostbite Series 1 – 12 th December 2021

Sunshine and a gentle breeze meant it was much warmer than previous weeks and it definitely brought out a few more sailors, with 15 boats starting the first ever Frostbite Pursuit race. 

SOOD Mark set a course, then Karen who had volunteered to help changed it slightly, resulting in 4P, 9P, 5S, 7S, 6S, S!!

First away Ron in the Mirror, was followed quickly by William in a Topper, Dad Dan in a Pico, and Paul in the Morbic. Then the Comets of Aileen and Chris set off, before Roland in the Solo and Ann/Dave in the Leader. The Lasers of Chris K, Darren, James, Adrian and Rick and the RS200 of Newton/Sam all set off in their normal mass start before finally the 470 with Mike T/Alessandro. 

William in his Topper came round the first lap in the lead closely followed by the Morbic and the Mirror, Aileen was in front of Chris H and Roland in the Solo was between them. Dave/Ann were next followed by Newton/Sam and the Lasers of Chris K, Darren, Adrian and James. The Pico with Dan on board was still ahead of Rick in the final Laser and the 470. 

The second lap saw Newton/Sam leaping to the front of the fleet, followed by Roland, and then the two Chris’s Comet still before Laser. Darren was in front of Aileen, Ann/Dave still holding onto to 7th and William who was starting to slip back, but not as far as Paul and Ron who now only had the Pico behind them with the 470 and the rest of the Lasers getting past them. 

The end of the race saw Newton/Sam in podium position, with Roland still holding onto 2nd from Chris K in 3rd.

Jeremy in his Laser decided to join in for the first Frostbite Handicap race making 16 starters. An interesting start from the 470 caused a bit of chaos, when they attempted a port flier but didn’t succeed! Darren definitely was not happy!! 

Chris K in a Laser came round the first lap just in front of the RS200 of Newton/Sam, then another Laser with Darren onboard. Roland was going really well in the Solo, followed by James in a Laser, then the 470 and the Leader. Adrian, Rick and Jeremy were all close together, followed by the Comets with Aileen just in front of Chris. The Topper, Mirror and Mobic were also all close together a bit further back and Dan in the Pico bought up the rear. 

Lap 2 saw Chris K pulling out a lead of a minute from Darren, who was followed by the 470, then the RS200. Roland was still there in the Solo, but James was very close behind, just in front of Dave/Ann in the Leader. Rick had passed Adrian to be the first of the next Laser trio, and Aileen was beginning to pull away from Chris in the battle of the Comets. A fair gap back to the slower boats but the Mirror was now leading the Topper and the Morbic with Dan falling a bit further behind. 

Lap 3 saw only a few changes in position, Newton/Sam overhauled the 470, and William in the Topper got past Ron as the four slower boats were finished having been lapped by the front runners who were already on Lap 4.

Lap 4 was the final lap and no one changed position, Chris K taking first on the water followed by Darren, Newton/Sam, Mike T/Alex, Roland and James. 

Memorably Aileen lowered Chris Hilson’s colours in the battle of the Comets crossing the line neatly one minute ahead of him!!

Corrected times saw podium place going to Chris K in a Laser, Darren 2nd in a Laser and Roland 3rd in a Solo. 

Thanks to the Race Team of Karen, Ben and Bea, the Rescue Boat teams of Mark and Ken, Adrian and Dick and Trolley Man Chris.